Consultations rates with GPs in Wales have risen from 73.4 per 100,000 people on Tuesday to 102.5 per 100,000 on Wednesday, a 39.6% increase.

Worst hit age groups have been babies and toddlers under four and those aged between 15 and 24. Consultation rates are the lowest for people over 65.

Latest figures showed NHS Direct Wales received 742 swine flu-related calls on Wednesday. Of those, 687 people were symptomatic and 55 were from the ‘worried well’.

Flu rates were now at the same level as typically seen with seasonal flu over winter. A vast majority of cases have caused mild illness with a minority more severe. Of the 78 confirmed cases 17 people have been admitted to hospital with 15 of those subsequently discharged.

The Assembly Government yesterday said it was training more NHS Direct call handlers to help deal with cases.

It has been criticised for not joining the National Pandemic Flu Service, which has been introduced in England in response to operational pressure.

But Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Tony Jewell, said: “This is being launched (in England) due to the significant pressure GPs and accident and emergency services in England are facing, mainly due to the ‘worried well’.

“While there has been a sharp rise in the number of swine flu cases in Wales over the last week, which we have expected and been planning for, we are seeing levels we typically see with seasonal flu in the winter.

“I want to thank the staff of the NHS for their hard work in recent weeks.

“We believe that people prefer to deal with the services that they know and are comfortable with.”

Dr Jewell added: “If you have these symptoms, remember coughs and sneezes spread diseases, so if you do, you must catch it, bin it, kill it. If the symptoms are causing concern, orŠ people are in an at-risk groups such as those with a chronic condition, children under five or pregnant women, people should phone their GP or NHS Direct Wales as they are a priority for early anti-viral treatment.

People with flu-like symptoms should not go to their A&E, local GP or pharmacy in case they spread the virus to others.

Anyone with flu-like symptoms should check their symptoms on the NHS Direct Wales website at www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk or by phoning the swine flu information line on 0800 1 513 513.